Fort Gratiot Lighthouse - Historical event of the grounds opening: Ceremony - May 19, 2012 - starts at 11:00 a.m.

Fort Gratiot, named after General Charles Gratiot, the engineer in charge of its construction, was established in 1814 to guard the juncture of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River.

The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in Michigan and the second oldest on the Great Lakes. The first lighthouse in this area was built in 1825 and was located approximately where the first Blue Water Bridge stands. De to poor construction and a storm, it collapsed in 1828. In 1829, a new lighthouse was built north of the military fort by Lucius Lyon, who later became one of Michigan's first U.S. Senators. The new location made it easier for ships to spot as they entered the rapids at the head of the St. Clair River.

Originally seventy-four feet high, the white painted brick tower was extended to its present height of eighty-six feet in the early 1860s.

The first official lighthouse keeper, Colonel George McDougall, Jr., served from 1825 until his death in 1842.

The green flashing light that was automated in 1933 may be seen for seventeen miles. The two-story brick lighthouse keeper's house, with its hipped gable roof and pointed gothic porch, was built in 1874.

Today, a Coast Guard station and the lighthouse watch over one of the busiest waterways in the world.

Plan your events on the grounds now.  Please contact Anita at 810-982-0891 ext. 118.  We are also offering overnights for groups of 20 or more.  Please consider us in your planning.

Left: believed to be the oldest known photo of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. Taken in 1871, it shows the original lighthouse keeper's quarters, which was dismantled during the construction of the new duplex keepers' dwelling.  (July 1873)
Right: Taken by photographer Louis Pesha, circa 1910, and shows the old station boathouse in the lower left hand corner.  The two original fog signal buildings had been moved behind the duplex dwelling.  

Overnights at the historic Fort Gratiot Light Station will be an opportunity for groups of 20+.  This includes scouts, youth groups, school groups, and families to relive history on this scenic and historic property.  Read more...

Please help us in restoring the Lighthouse so that public exhibitions can be opened. The Deed Signing on September 2, 2010 brought us closer, but we still need your help. Please consider becoming a Friend of the Lighthouse by calling 810-982-0891 ext. 110, adopting a step or purchasing an original brick from the tower.
 

Stay up to date with the newsletter from the Parks and Recreation newsletter showing restoration progress and plans.  Follow restoration and photographs by clicking here.  Lighthouse memorabilia for view and sale. Click for photo.  Times Herald news reports on restoration click here.

Link to Michigan's Lighthouses.  See map below. 

Volunteer opportunities are always welcome and needed for special events etc... Click on the volunteer application here.